Dear Merrill Families,

As we approach the break, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for your continued support. We hope you all are able to spend quality time with family during this season.

I would like to remind you that the Merrill Giving Tree is set up in the office. If you're interested in supporting a Merrill student, please feel free to stop by.

Additionally, this break is a wonderful opportunity for students to continue reading daily. Encouraging this habit can make a significant difference in their learning.

With winter approaching, please ensure your student is dressed appropriately for lunch and recess. Staying warm is important!

Enjoy the December Newsletters-

• 6th Grade-Here
• 7th Grade-Here
• 8th Grade-Here
• Electives-Here

Thank you for your attention and support. Have a wonderful break!

Sincerely,

Merrill Leadership

No School 11/22-12/1!

We will see our students back 12/2!

CEC’s Open House: Tuesday, December 10 from 5pm-7pm

• Perfect opportunity for prospective students to tour CEC/CTE classes

• Learn about Core & CTE programs

• CEC Website
• CEC School Culture Video
• CEC CTE Programs Video

Please check in with your student to ensure they are following the Quarterly Contracts!

Here is a reminder of what is in the contracts:

ATTENDANCE (10/20/24 - 12/20/24)

• I can be prepared and organized for class by bringing my materials (charged chromebook, notebook, pencil, etc.)

• I can be on time for my classes and not have 3 or more tardies in a single class per quarter.}

• I take ownership of my learning by attending all assigned Office Hours/ Lunch Opportunities.

RESPECT FOR SELF AND OTHERS

• I am a responsible and respectful Merrill Jaguar by having no more than 1 OSS/ 2 ISS. If I have any OSS or ISS, I have reflected on my choices and changed my behavior.

• I demonstrate kindness and respect towards my peers and all adults within the building.

• I have reflected on my choices and changed my behavior after receiving a reflection sheet

PERFORMANCE

• I can be accountable for my learning and engaged in my classes by submitting assignments and having no more than 2 missing assignments per class. (Science/Social Studies combined)

When we return from Fall break:

Boys Flag Football 12/3 vs. Grant Beacon here @ Merrill @ 3:30pm

Girls Flag Football 12/4 vs. DG Northfield @ Denver West HS @ 5:00pm

We are awaiting final standing to see where both teams will be placed in the end of season tourney.

Big thanks to all the parents/guardians for your support in getting our Jaguars to the games while also cheering on our teams.

Registration for Girls and Boys Volleyball is now open, please follow the link below to register your student.

Register - Here Merrill Middle School

Please make sure your student has an up to date physical (required to tryout)

Tryouts will be the week of 12/16/24 - Specific dates will be announced.

Thanks

Mr. Franklin

Our staff and students have had so much fun with Spirit Week! Adam Sandler Day, Duo Day, Athletes or Mathletes Day and finally, Swap Day (dress as a student or staff member)!

Our 8th grade students had a field trip to Empower Field to attend a Career Fair. Many high schools, colleges and a variety of different career paths were represented to get our 8th graders thinking about their futures!

Our 7th graders have been working on Tiny Memoirs and are bravely sharing their stories. Ms. Smith and Ms. Harris will be featuring a couple of these writings in the next few weeks to give these authors an audience!

Place to Place.New people, new faces, new life, I was 6 when I heard we were moving to the United states. I thought to myself, "No I don’t want to go, my friends are here." But alas we moved to the US in spite of my protests. As school started and the weather was turning to fall, I watched the leaves drift down, and the trees wither, soon they were flourishing with leaves again!, and with me, new friends, and a new home. No matter how much I tried, I grew, leaf on a tree finding a new place to call home. by Mathias Stauthamer

Age nine, my passport in my hand, I came to America with my whole family- my life starting over. I didn't understand any English and it was so hard. We had learned a little English in Libya, but it wasn enough. I could not even understand the teacher. I missed my family and friends who were still in Libya. But, for the next three years I practiced and practiced and because I did not give up, my English is much better today and I made many new friends. Mohammed Alfaydh

The last thing I remember was complimenting the surgeon´s hat before blacking out.

It didn't feel long until I woke up, eyes closed, listening to the faint but familiar voices echo around the room.

I felt a little weary as I groggily sat up in the hospital bed, my mind blank, hip numb. I looked around confused, the odd feeling of air under my skin from the IV.

¨She's awake¨

I realized I just finished surgery and my fogged memory was from the anesthesia I was put under during surgery.

Thankfully the medicine subdued the pain I would feel soon… (Siena Le)

Back stage, waiting to go on in front of many people and judges watching your every move.

I feel my palms getting sweaty and my hands start to shake. “Is everyone ready? You're on right after this routine,” The announcer whispered. I take a deep breath and hear my team cheering from the audience. The first beat in the music hits and right away all the nerves are gone. I wasn't even thinking about the judges. I walked off stage not thinking about how we did, all I knew was it was the best feeling ever. (Lily Thies)

Merrill Families! We’ve raised $36,163. Way to go!

We still have a way to go to reach $77,777 by winter break.

Give today and help us reach our goal.

Donate here!!! fundrazr.com/merrillmovers2024

Our goal this year is to raise $77,777. Why all the 7's?

Because we are supporting the Seven Habits of a Highly Successful Merrill!

What are the 7 Habits and what programs do your donations support?

1. Excellence in Academics Funds support Department Grants,

Apps/Software, Teacher Development, Learning Materials, ELA, GT, Special Ed, Learning Interventionists, and Continued Curriculum for and Literature Updates for Novels and Lit Circles

2. Varied, High-Quality, Electives, Enrichments and Clubs Funds support Extra Electives in dance and drama, Materials and Supplies, 3rd Party providers, Club stipends for teachers

3. Upgrading and Improving our Facility and Learning Environment Funds support Furniture Upgrades,

Outside Garden, Outdoor Tables, Trees for Shade, Tech in the Building and Classrooms

4. Providing External Learning Experiences Funds support school wide excursions and Field Trips aligned with Units of Study

5. Implementing Technology and STEM Funds support Updating/Maintaining Classroom Technology, Chrome Books, STEM Lab Upgrades, etc.

6. Promoting Athletics, Wellness and Mental Health Funds support providing more athletic opportunities, equipment and uniforms, advisement wellness education support, and additional Mental Health staff

7. Creating Community Funds support events like the Student Dances, Quarterly Celebrations, Teacher

Appreciation, 8th Grade Continuation

Upcoming PTSA Meetings

December 10 @ 6pm – Junction Food Hall

Upcoming Dine Outs – Details to Come!

December 10 @ Raising Cane’s

January 15 @ Goosetown Tavern

Dads at Merrill (D@M)

Are you a Dad reading this?

Connect with other Jaguar Dads by emailing john.hesse@me.com

Click to gear up your Jaguar with 20% off code: SAVE20

Quick links to support Merrill:

Donate your Longmont Dairy Caps

in the Merrill Office

Longmont Dairy supports Merrill by

giving 5¢ back for every milk cap!

Start collecting and tell your neighbors

that Merrill is a drop off location for

Longmont Dairy milk & juice caps!

Enroll Merrill as your Community

Rewards Recipient under My Account!

Raising Cane’s December 17th 3-9 (NEW DATE!)

Goosetown Tavern January 15, 20% of Sales 4-11

Postino at 9th and Colorado Feb 6, 20% of Sales all evening

Ester's March 10th, 10% for sales all day

Campus Lounge April 29th, 20% of total sales 4-10 p

The Families Helping Families Committee is collecting grocery gift cards to help Merrill families in need over the holidays. Please bring $25 Safeway or King Soopers gift cards to the Merrill front office by December 4th. Thank you!

November 13th-19th is Transgender Awareness Week. Here are some book recommendations that can be found on SORA.

Greetings #FAMILY! Merrill Meals pantry provides free groceries once a month to Merrill families that would like to receive extra food. We understand that everyone could use some support from time to time, and we are here to help.

If you would like to receive extra groceries one-time per month, please complete this private and anonymous survey, so we can provide the food items that your family likes to eat and match your preferences. Please mark the items that you would like to have potentially included in your pre-packed backpack.

***NOTE: Not all items are available, but we will match your request with whatever is in stock! Thank you.

Form can be found HERE

The Merrill Store is designed to promote positive behavior and encourages students to make good choices. They earn Merrill Money throughout their time at school and use it to "purchase" items at the store during their recess. Items include snacks, chips, candy, sports equipment, Merrill gear, fidgets, toys, stickers and most importantly- gift cards! Please see the Sign Up Genius below to sign up to donate items and to volunteer at the store. It's so fun seeing your student during the school day! We will have the store open 2 Fridays a month and hope to see you there!

MerrillStoreSUG

Club Offerings 24-25

This new pilot program will provide 4,000 eligible Denver Public Schools middle school students with $1,000 to enroll in afterschool programs. As students enroll in participating programs, My Spark Denver will also invest $4 million in afterschool activities.

My Spark Denver gives parents the agency to decide how they want to use the money, which is provided to them in the form of a restricted debit card that can be redeemed across 100+ afterschool providers, big and small. Every kid is different and what parents really need are the resources to help their children pursue their sparks, whether it's fencing, football or fashion design.